AirVenture 2023 to Include Vietnam Remembered: 50 Years Later

Fifty-years after the surcease of direct hostilities in Southeast Asia, EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 will remember the soldiers, sailors, Marines, Airmen, and aircraft that fought valiantly in the Vietnam War—that most vexing, frustrating, and divisive of American 20th Century conflicts.

The 70th edition of EAA’s storied fly-in convention—to be held 24 through 30 July 2023—will include specific programs and activities presenting and predicated upon aircraft of the Vietnam Era—to include machines from all U.S. service branches.

EAA vice president of communities and member programs Rick Larsen stated: “The Vietnam era was a remarkable time for aviation innovation and development. It was a bridge from the early jet age to the aircraft that are still a foundational part of our armed forces. More important, this is an opportunity to recognize those who served, many of whom did not receive a grateful welcome when they returned from their service.”

The aircraft featured in the individual programs will be announced as their participation is finalized. The show lineup will, however, include land-and carrier-based aircraft, as well as rotorcraft exemplifying those models that saw service in Vietnam. Special activities will punctuate the AirVenture air shows, evening programs, Boeing Plaza, and Warbirds area displays, and areas such as the Fly-In Theater, Theater in the Woods, and the EAA Aviation Museum.

In addition, the annual Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is scheduled to return to the AirVenture schedule on Friday, 28 July. Subject flight will see Vietnam veterans depart Oshkosh for a day trip to Washington, D.C. where they will visit the nation’s most sacrosanct memorials—including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial—before returning to Oshkosh at the end of Friday’s air show.

Further details and highlights are currently in development and will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Vietnam War was a conflict in the Southeast Asian nations of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Hostilities commenced on 1 November 1955 and dragged on until the fall of Saigon—now Ho Chi Minh City—on 30 April 1975. The war’s official belligerents were Soviet/Chinese-supported, communist North Vietnam and U.S./NATO-supported, democratic South Vietnam. The conflict is widely considered a Cold War-era proxy war.

Direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War came to an end in 1973—by which time 57,015 American servicemen had lost their lives. By war’s end, a tragic total of 58,193 Americans had perished.

By commemorating the Vietnam War and honoring those who served therein, EAA demonstrates the vision, leadership, and humanity for which the organization is widely and rightly renowned.

FMI: www.eaa.org